Ruthie! The First Fifty Years

2020·24.9 MB·English

by  Geary, Joan

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On The Queen Mary crossing the Atlantic to America 1939
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One of the last promises I made to my beautiful
mother was that I would create a book about her life.
She smiled with the essence of her sweetness and
mother's love and knew I would keep my word.
©2020 Joan Geary
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used in any form or manner
whatsoever, either electronic or mechanical, photocopied or recorded, or by
any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written
permission from the author, who retains the exclusive rights to the content,
layout and design of this book.

INTRODUCTION
Ruth Geary lived her life with Strength, Beauty & Determination. Ruth was born in Vienna during World War I,
fled Austria in 1939 & confronted World War II in her new home, America. Ruth adapted throughout her life by
facing each day with a joy & strength that most would never know. While Ruth bore the pains of her losses from the
war in private, she always shined a positive light upon others. The 20+ years Ruth was employed at Gump’s were
some of her happiest. This period also included many of her travels to countries around the world as well as a
dynamic social life. A bench at The Palace of Fine Arts was dedicated to Ruth in 2011. Ruth will always be
remembered as a kind, intelligent & elegant woman, believing that life, as she was, is beautiful. She passed away
peacefully on September 18, 2017 at 100 years young. This book provides an overview of the First Fifty Years of
Ruth's life and will be followed by a second volume detailing the Second Fifty Years of Ruth's Life.

“Somewhere Over The Rainbow”
The Olesker Family
Vienna, Austria (circa 1920)
Osias Gerson, Martha, William (seated), Ruth
(standing on bench), Seril (seated)
It was a winter day in Vienna, Austria during the midst of World War I, when Ruth Olesker was born. On January 13,
1917, Osias and Seril Olesker became the proud parents of their third child. Martha, the eldest sister born March 17,
1908 and William, a boy known throughout his life as Willie, born May 24,1913, had been predecessors to Ruth’s
arrival.
A sign of the tumultuous times, Seril had worried about her husband being sent to Siberia –-she used jewelry from their
family-owned jewelry store to bribe soldiers so that they would allow Osias to stay in Vienna with his family. Unknown
to her were the tragedies that would enter their life in the years preceding and encompassing World War II.
Seril Segal (circa 1897)
Seril Segal & Osias Gerson Olesker Engagement Photo
(Circa 1900-1905)
As the years passed and World War I concluded, there continued to be challenges as well as joy for the family.
The Jewish people were subject to certain practices by the government. For example, Jewish children were sent
to the same schools as children of other religions, however, they were segregated into "Jewish" classrooms for
certain subjects. One day while this was taking place, Ruthie began to follow the group of Jewish children to the
next class. The teacher stopped her and directed her to the other classroom. Ruthie responded “I am Jewish."
The teacher questioned her as if he didn’t believe her. She repeated herself and she proceeded to the Jewish
classroom. When she returned home that day she told her mother what had happened. Ruthie recalled how
very proud her mother was of her. Even when telling this story very late in life you could still see the pride
emanate from Ruthie for making her mother so very proud that day
Growing up in Vienna provided many pleasant memories as well. One of these included riding the giant ferris
wheel called the Riesenrad, located in the Prater near home. In the summer, the family would visit the hot
springs in the countryside and enjoy Grinsing located in the Wine Country near the Vienna Woods. Ruthie
enjoyed all the delicious Viennese cuisine and pastries and she even drank the world famous coffee and wine
from a very young age.
Thirteen years old and enjoying a day at camp with friends-top right (July 29, 1930 )
As time passed in Vienna, Ruthie matured into an elegant young woman. From waltzing to music in Stadt Park,
attending an advanced school for training professional sales people and dating various men, Ruthie was able to find
some joy in an increasingly dangerous environment.
Toy won at Amusement
Park (April 1934)
Voslau, Austrian Resort (1935)
Most likely Vienna (May 1937)